Members of the West Grove Fire Company joined thousands of firefighters from across the United States showing support and respect for the funeral services for Philadelphia firefighter Lt. Matt LeTourneau.

A crew of WGFC members on Ladder 22 traveled to Delaware County to join with the Rose Tree Fire Company to fly a giant American flag from an overpass over the funeral procession route. The procession traveled from center city Philadelphia to a cemetery in Springfield. To demonstrate support for the family, friends and colleagues of Lt. LeTourneau, all seven overpasses on I-476 (the Blue Route) had similar flags flying -- with 14 ladder trucks from area fire companies involved in the display.

Despite fog and pouring rain, Ladder 22 and Quint 73 crews were proud of this effort, showing respect and support for Lt. LeTourneau who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. For some members, this was personal, as they had met Lt. LeTourneau as a training instructor -- for all of us, his loss as a member of the "brotherhood" of firefighters was very much on our minds.